Method and machine for manufacturing a body or frame and a machine for making mitre cuts on panel-like workpieces

ABSTRACT

A method and machine for manufacturing a body for an article of furniture comprising the steps of coating one side of a panel with a finishing layer, cutting a plurality of mitre grooves on the other side, said grooves extending nearly through said panel, applying an adhesive to the cut surfaces of said grooves, bending said panel along the lines of said grooves to bring said cut surfaces together, and allowing said adhesive to set with the panel parts in their bent-up positions.

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,035,785 8/1912Hami1ton... 2,161,346 6/1939 Goldstein 2,170,687 8/1939 Johnson2,803,869 8/1957 Brauchler..................... 3,058,868 10/ 1 962Schroeder 3,060,812 10/1962 Healy et al.... 3,322,171 5/1967Comell...............,.........,

Primary Examiner-Gerald A. Dost Attorney-Polachek & Saulsbury A methodmachine for manufacturing a body for an article of furniture comprisingthe steps of coating inventor Hermann Indermark Ahmser Stras'se 6, 4901Werl-Aspe, Lippe, Germany Appl. No. 772,968

Nov. 4, I968 [45] Patented July 27, 1971 A BODY 0R FRAME AND A MACHINEFOR MAKING MITRE CUTS ON PANEL-LIKE WORKPIECES United States Patent 22Filed [54] METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING ABSTRACT:

one side of a panel with a finishing layer, cutting a plurality of mitregrooves on the other side, said grooves extending nearly through saidpanel, applying an adhesive to the cut surfaces of said grooves, bendingsaid panel along the lines of said grooves to bring said out surfacestogether, and allowing said adhesive to set with the panel parts intheir bent-up positions.

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PATENTEDJULNIQYI 3,595,287.

sum 1 OF 4 Inventor:

Hermann lndermark BY r/- ATTURNEZS PATENTED JUL2 7 |97i SHEET 2 UF 4Hermann lndermark BY ATTURNEXS PATENTEUJUtEHHII v 3.595.287

saw 4 OF 4 lm/entor:

Hermann lndermark ATTURNE 5 METHOD AND MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING A BODYOR FRAME AND A MACHINE FOR MAKING MITRE CUTS N PANEL-LIKE WORKPIECESThis invention concerns a method of manufacturing fumiture body or frameand a machine for making mitre cuts on panellike workpieces to beassembled into a furniture body.

A furniture body has hitherto been assembled from several individualpanels (side and top panels) and the individual panels must be providedwith mitre cuts to achieve neat joints. These mitre cuts have hithertobeen executed mechanically or manually by means of saws or the like,each part of a piece of furniture having to be treated as a separateworkpiece. These separate workpieces have to be cut to size, veneeredand provided with drilled holes for the insertion of dowels forsubsequent assembly in multiple operations. After the mitre or dovetailcuts have been made, the individual workpieces are assembled into a bodyand only then surface treated, as by the application of lacquer. Allthese operations demand a considerable amount of time. Furthermore, themitre joints do not always exactly fit so that gaps may occur in themitred joint area, or, in the grain of the veneers, a feature whichcauses the outer appearance to be defective. Thus previous methods ofmanufacturing a furniture body have in someways proved unsatisfactory.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method ofmanufacturing an article of furniture which permits early finishingtreatment of the panel, and which facilitates assembly; the inventionalso provides a machine for making mitre cuts wherein several neat andexactly fitting mitre cuts canbe made in one operation on, a furniturepanel for incorporation in a furniture body, whilst avoiding previousdisadvantages.

According to the invention, in a method of manufacturing a furniturebody, a previously treated, lacquered panel, covered or veneered on oneside, is providedat certain spaced intervals on the other side withparallel mitre cuts in such manner that these cuts do not extend rightthrough, leaving a thin layer, such as a veneer layer or a layer ofplastics material. The panel is then provided in the region of the mitrecuts with an adhesive, and the resultant connected panel members arebent at angles relatively to each other.

In a preferred embodiment, before the production of the mitre cuts,reinforcing layers, preferably self-adhesive foils or the like, areapplied to the opposed surface areas.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a machine for makingmitre cuts, has several horizontally and vertically adjustable toolsprovided above a worktable receiving the workpieces to be cut.Preferably side milling cutters having relatively inclined cutting facesare used.

. The tools are arranged in alignment with each other transversely tothe direction of movement of the workpieces on an individually drivenshaft, whilst the driving devices carrying the tools are locatedadjustably on vertical slides.

The vertical slides are each displaceably mounted in a tool slide whichis horizontally adjustable along a horizontal upper main beam, and thehorizontal and vertical movements of the vertical slides and toolsslides are made by means of threaded spindles. The upper beam may berigidly or displaceably mounted on the upper part of the machine frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the worktable is pneumatically orhydraulically driven, and is mounted so as to move below the said tools,the worktable being adjustable preferably by cylinders having a doubleaction. The cylinders mounted below the worktable may be provided toswing. in a bearing housing, and the piston rods thereof each have apoint of attachment to the worktable.

The worktable is displaceable by means of lateral running rails andinterposed sliding or rolling members on lateral bean ing rails rigidlyconnected to the machine frame. To ensure correct rectilineardisplacement of the worktable, racks mounted on the bearing housing maybe provided, in which gearwheels or pinions cooperating with theworktable engage.

Below the worktable one or more supporting rollers receiving the workpressure load may be arranged, which rollers run on guide rails and aredisplaceable with the worktable.

In another preferred embodiment the worktable is provided with agridlike receiving surface for the workpieces, within which securingdevices, such as vacuum suction plates or cups are provided for securingworkpieces.

The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for themanufacture of a furniture body which comprises an initially surfacetreated panel which can be cut to shape, veneered, lacquered andpolished and after the mitre cuts are made, is shaped in one operationinto a furniture body. The mitre cuts do not extend completely throughthe entire panel so that the panel, divided by the mitre cuts intoparts, has an inner cohesion in the case of veneered panels provided bythe pasted-on reinforcing layers and, in the case of panels covered withplastics .material, provided by the residual layer of plastics materialAfter the application of glue to the mitre cuts, the parts can be bentat angles to one another, to form the body of a piece of furniture, andrigidly pressed together. The machine of the present invention ensuresaccurately fitting mitre cuts in the process of manufacture, whereby anaccurately made furniture body can be simply completed, the articlepresenting a neat and uninterrupted appearance, particularly at thecorners.

The material near the mitre cuts is not severed, so that the grain ofthe veneer extends without interruption from one part to the next; nofurther surface treatment is necessary.

An adhesive dispenser may be attached to the worktable for treating thereinforcing layers.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a perspective view of a machine for producing mitre cuts onpanel-shaped workpieces,

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same machine,

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the same machine taken in linel-l of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a panel-shaped workpiece comprisingformed mitre cuts and a turned up portion in the vicinity of a mitrecut,

FIG. 5 is a front view of a device for glueing on reinforcing layers;and

FIG. 6 is longitudinal section through the same device.

A machine for producing mitre cuts on panellike workpieces or the likecomprises a frame 10 provided with two side supports 11 which aresecured in their upright position by means of two parallel connectingbeams 12, (FIG. 1).

Supported on these connecting beams 12, and on the opposed innersurfaces on the side supports 1 I is a bracket 13 to which are fastenedhorizontal carrier rails 14. These carrier rails 14 are provided withone or more slide or roller members 15 (FIG. 2) on which a running rail16 having a U-shaped cross section is mounted. The sides of the U-shapedrunning rail 16 assume a horizontal position and are disposed on the topand bottom of the slide or roller members 15 so that the running rails16 are displaceable relatively to the carrier rails 14 in a horizontalplane and in the direction of movement of the workpieces I9 to betreated.

The running rails 16 support a worktable 17 arranged half way up themachine frame 10; the worktable 17 is rigidly mounted on the runningrails 16 and is thus displaceable therewith in the direction of travelof the workpieces 19.

The worktable 17 has a rectangular box-shape with an open supportsurface for the workpieces 19. This support surface is formed of thelongitudinal edges of upright partitions 18 which are arranged in gridform. Provided between these partitions 18 are several securing devicesfor the workpieces 19, which devices are shown as vacuum suction cups20. These retain the workpieces on the worktable 17 by means of theirsuction. The front longitudinal edge of the worktable is provided withan adjustable stop 17a for the workpieces 19 (see FIG. 3).

The displacement of the worktable 17 is effected pneumatically orhydraulically by means of cylinders 21 engaging the worktable 17. Thesecylinders are mounted below the workta ble 17 in lateral bearinghousings 22 supported on the connecting supports 12.

A piston rod 23 of each double-acting cylinder 21, is rigidly connectedto the worktable 17 by a pressure plate 24 so that, upon a movement ofthe piston rod 23, the worktable 17 is traversed in a horizontal plane.

To ensure uniform movement of the worktable l7, i.e. to avoid skewing ofthe worktable 17 due to different cylinder pressures, the bearinghousings 22 are provided in their upper inner regions with racks 25 inwhich racks, gearwheels 26, cooperating with the worktable 17, engage.

Each rack 25 meshes with the gear wheel 26 and the two gearwheels 26 arefixed to opposite ends of a shaft 28 which rotates in bearings 27. Whenthe worktable 17 is displaced, the gear wheels 26 mesh with the slideracks 25 and thus impart a uniform and equal movement to both ends ofthe table.

A collecting plate 29 is secured to the center area of the work table 17and its underside and serves as a bearing point for a supporting roller30 which rolls on a guide rail 31 corresponding to the path of thesupporting roller 30. This supporting roller 30 (FIG. 2) keeps theworktable l7 lever over its entire width and receives any bending loadson the worktable 17 caused by the working pressure. Several suchsupporting rollers 30 may be provided according to the width of theworktable 17, so that said worktable 17 is always kept flat and thusaccurate work can be carried out.

in the upper part of the machine frame, the side supports 11 carry anupper beam 32 extending parallel to the width of the worktable l7 andserving as a guide rail for receiving two tool slides 33, though morethan these may be provided. A threaded spindle 34 which is journaled torotate within the upper beam 32 and is fitted over a half of its lengthwith a lefthand thread and over the other half with aright-hand thread,effects displacement of the tool slides 33 when the handwheel 35 isturned. A vertical slide 36 which is adjustable in height isdisplaceably journaled on each tool slide 33, said vertical slide beingraised or lowered by means of a threaded spindle 37 and the upper handwheel 38.

An electric motor 39, which serves as a tool carrier and which has adriving shaft 40 parallel to the longitudinal direction of the upperbeam 32 and the worktable 17, is carried on the lower end of eachvertical slide 36, (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 3).

The ends of the driving shafts extending out of the driving devices 39are horizontally opposed and each carries an interchangeable precessingtool 41. This tool is preferably a milling cutter which has millingsurfaces 42a, 42b with an angle of 90 between them. These millingcutters 41 execute mitre cuts 43 on the workpieces 19, each out having aV- shaped cross section with an enclosed angle of 90". Other mitre cutangles may also be effected by the use of suitably shaped alternativecutters. Other tools, for executing the same work, such as two disc sawsinclined relatively to each other may be used instead of millingcutters.

A protective hood 44 is removably arranged around the tools 41 toprevent accidents. The upper beam 32 supporting the tool slide 33 may berigidly or tiltably mounted in the side supports 11. The machinedescribed produces mitre cuts 43 on panel-shaped workpieces 19. Theworkpieces 19 to be provided with parallel mitre cuts are laid on theworktable 17 and rigidly held in position by means of the vacuum suctionplates 20. Then the spacing of the tools 41 is set by means of thethreaded spindle 34 by turning the handwheel 35 and thus the spacing ofthe mitre cuts 43 on the workpiece 19. Then the height of the tools 41is set by adjusting the vertical slides 36. This determines the depth ofthe mitre cuts 43.

The height adjustment of the tools 41 should preferably be such that thetools 41 leave approximately a few tenths of a millimeter of theworkpiece uncut, so that the workpiece remains in one piece and is notdivided.

The number of mitre cuts 43 is determined by the number of the tools 41used. Once the tools 41 are set, they operate consistently on theintroduced workpieces 19, without adjustment.

The workpieces 19 are each provided on one face with an outer layer,such as a veneer lacquer and are then cut to size.

The prepared face is laid on the worktable 17 and the upper facereceives the mitre cuts 43. Before these cuts are made, the workpieces19 are provided with a reinforcing layer 47, consisting of aself-adhesive foil applied to the prepared face in the region to be cut,this foil providing a reinforcement for the workpieces 19 duringsubsequent bending (FIG. 4). In the case of veneered furniture panelsthe mitre cuts are preferably taken completely through the panel so thatthe divided portions are held together only by the reinforcing layers;in the case of plastics-coated furniture panels, the mitre cuts are onlypartial and the panel parts remain connected together by their layer ofplastics material.

The machine of the present invention makes it possible to produce afurniture body advantageously, since the workpieces 19 can be formedinto a furniture body after the mitre cuts 43 are made.

The workpiece 19, shown in FIG. 4 is provided with mitre cuts 43 so asto divide it into three parts, connected together by a remaining outerlayer (plastics layer or reinforcing layer), there being two side parts45 and a cover part 46; these three parts 45, 46 are folded together toform a furniture body.

After the workpiece 19the finished furniture panel-has passed throughthe machine of the present invention, an adhesive, such as glue ismanually or mechanically applied to the mitre cuts 43; the two sideparts are then raised perpendicularly (turned up at an angle) and theglue sets to form a furniture body in an associated press. Thereinforcing layer 47 prevents tearing or damage of the finished outersurface, in the region of the mitre cuts when the side part 45 areturned up, since only a thin layer of material remains behind and thislayer could be damaged during the bending operations. The said layer maybe subsequently removed.

With the present invention the production of a furniture body is greatlysimplified by the use of a method which, in a simple and time savingmanner produces a furniture body from a furniture panel capable of beingsubsequently formed into the side parts and the cover. The panelconcerned can be cut to size, veneered, lacquered and polished andplaced in its initially treated state in the machine for producing mitrecuts, the reinforcing layer such as strips of adhesive foil, beingalready attached in the region of the mitre cuts.

Thus it is possible to utilize the veneers efficiently with the grainextending without interruption and the initial treatment can be carriedout on plane surfaces in a simple manner.

Furthermore, by means of the machine of the present invention, exactlyfitting mitre cuts, and thus, accurate assembly of the furniture body(frame) is achieved. Due to the initial treatment and the simplifiedworking processes a time saving of approximately 30 percent is achievedin the manufacture of a furniture body from the raw material to thefinished part, a feature which can reduce the cost of manufacture, andthe selling price.

The machine of the present invention is of simple construction and easyto operate; and makes mass production of furniture frames possible.

The apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings for the attachmentof a reinforcing layer, preferably a self-adhesive plastic foil, ismounted ahead of the device for producing mitre cuts and forms one unittherewith.

An axle 52 which is driven by a driving device 51, carries severalaxially displaceable conveyor rollers 53, and is journaled in twolateral frame members 50 extending longitudinally of the side supports11 at the level of the worktable 17. In the upper region of the frame,parallel to the axle 52, is a shaft 54 on which several axiallydisplaceable pressure rollers 55 are rotatably mounted. These pressurerollers 55 are arranged to be adjustable in height in the frame members50 together with the shaft 54, and are resiliently joumaled relativelyto the lower axle 52 by means of their adjusting devices 56.

Each of the conveyor rollers 53 is associated with an adhesive roll 57which feeds a pressure and conveyor roller 55, 53 respectively with aself-adhesive plastic foil strip 47.

As they pass through this device the surfaces of the workpieces 19opposite the situations of the mitre cuts 43 to be made subsequently,have a reinforcing layer 47 applied to them. The conveyor, pressure andadhesive rollers 53, 55, 57, are preset at the correct intervals apartcorresponding to the mitre cuts 43, and as the workpieces 19 passthrough, the reinforcing layer 47 is glued to the underside of theworkpieces 19, the conveyor rollers 53 moving the workpieces l9 in thedirection of travel (see arrow). The upper pressure rollers 55 urge theworkpieces l9 firmly against the conveyor rollers 53 and thus againstthe reinforcing layer.

The apparatus of the present invention is simple to construct andreliable to operate. The reinforcing layers are mechanically glued onand the workpieces, such as furniture panels provided with thereinforcing layer in the region of the appropriate mitre cut, areautomatically conveyed to the next operation.

I claim:

1. A mitre cuts-imparting machine comprising, in combination: at leasttwo side supports spaced apart from each other; a beam mounted on andbetween elevated portions of said spaced side supports; reciprocatorytable means having a panel-receivable upper face extending about betweensaid side supports, with said upper face about parallel to said beam,and said table means being reciprocatory in directions about normal tosaid beam; a plurality of slide mechanisms adjustably mounted along saidbeam; rotary motor and mitrecutting tool means mounted on each slidemechanism; elevation means for adjusting each of said motor and saidtool means along its respective said slide mechanism toward and awayfrom said upper face; a pair of parallel gearwheel-receiving racksbilaterally mounted parallel to reciprocatory movement of saidreciprocatory directions; at least two gearwheels, one of saidgearwheels engaging with and rideable on one of said racks and the othergearwheel engaging with and rideable on the other of said racks; a shaftextending between and operatively connected with said gearwheels; andshaft-support means for said shaft, mounted on said table means.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which said elevation means includesmanually actuateable screw means for moving said slide mechanisms alongsaid beam; and including a lateral-adjustment manually actuateable screwmeans for moving said slide mechanisms along said beam.

3. A machine according to claim 1, further comprising: slide members, atleast one of said slide members being mounted on at least one of saidtable means and one of said side supports adapted for sliding motion ofsaid table means along said one side support in said reciprocatorydirections, at least another of said slide members being mounted on atleast one of said table means and the other of said side supportsadapted for sliding motion of said table means along said other sidesupport in said reciprocatory directions; sucker means mounted on saidtable means facing upwardly from said upper surface, adapted to secureby suction a panel in position thereon;double acting piston and cylindermeans connected between said table means and at least one of said sidesupports, for imparting said reciprocatory movement; and supply means tosupply pressurized fluid for and connected to said piston and cylindermeans.

4. A machine for producing mitre cuts in panellike workpieces, moreespecially in panels which are provided with a cover layer at least onthe side remote from the mitre cuts, and for producing furniture bodies,including two side supports interconnected by cross transverses and by across beam located in upper regions of said side supports and havingsliding sur' faces which slidably support at least two horizontallydisplaceable slides which are displaceable at right an les to theongitudinal direction of the mitre cuts to be pro need; said horizontalslides each having a vertical slide mounted thereon,

adjustable by means of a setting spindle, and supporting a mitre cutterwith drive motor and a profile cutter rotatable about a horizontal axisfor producing a V-shaped cut; and horizontally displaceable workpiecesupport means located with spacing below said mitre cutters forsupporting the panels to be processed and containing a plurality ofsuction cups which act to hold the undersides of said panels to bemitre-cut against the support by suction.

5. A machine according to claim 4, in which said supports carry at leasttwo horizontally displaceable slides which are displaceable in theextension of width of said machine; and in which said workpiece supportmeans is supported on guide means which is located on said side supportsand connected to a pressure medium cylinder and on the underside of saidworkpiece support has a gearwheel which meshes with a racked bar mountedon the machine frame.

6. A machine according to claim 5, in which said two horizontallydisplaceable slides are interconnected by a transversely extendingthreaded spindle which has a right-hand threaded portion receiving thehorizontal slide and a left-hand threaded portion receiving the otherhorizontal slide.

7. A machine according to claim 6, in which said workpiece support meansis supported with lateral guide tracks on rowlocks acting as guide meanslocated on the side portions of the machine side supports; and includingan apparatus for pasting self-adhesive reinforcing strips to theunderside of the panel to be processed in the region of the mitre cut tobe produced, said apparatus being located between and on the machineside supports in front of the workpiece support means, and an adhesivedevice provided for each mitre cutter, said adhesive device beinglaterally continuously adjustable in the machine width and having saidadhesive reinforcing strip removably mounted therein.

1. A mitre cuts-imparting machine comprising, in combination: at leasttwo side supports spaced apart from each other; a beam mounted on andbetween elevated portions of said spaced side supports; reciprocatorytable means having a panel-receivable upper face extending about betweensaid side supports, with said upper face about parallel to said beam,and said table means being reciprocatory in directions about normal tosaid beam; a plurality of slide mechanisms adjustably mounted along saidbeam; rotary motor and mitre-cutting tool means mounted on each slidemechanism; elevation means for adjusting each of said motor and saidtool means along its respective said slide mechanism toward and awayfrom said upper face; a pair of parallel gearwheelreceiving racksbilaterally mounted parallel to reciprocatory movement of saidreciprocatory directions; at least two gearwheels, one of saidgearwheels engaging with and rideable on one of said racks and the othergearwheel engAging with and rideable on the other of said racks; a shaftextending between and operatively connected with said gearwheels; andshaft-support means for said shaft, mounted on said table means.
 2. Amachine according to claim 1 in which said elevation means includesmanually actuateable screw means for moving said slide mechanisms alongsaid beam; and including a lateral-adjustment manually actuateable screwmeans for moving said slide mechanisms along said beam.
 3. A machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising: slide members, at least one ofsaid slide members being mounted on at least one of said table means andone of said side supports adapted for sliding motion of said table meansalong said one side support in said reciprocatory directions, at leastanother of said slide members being mounted on at least one of saidtable means and the other of said side supports adapted for slidingmotion of said table means along said other side support in saidreciprocatory directions; sucker means mounted on said table meansfacing upwardly from said upper surface, adapted to secure by suction apanel in position thereon; double acting piston and cylinder meansconnected between said table means and at least one of said sidesupports, for imparting said reciprocatory movement; and supply means tosupply pressurized fluid for and connected to said piston and cylindermeans.
 4. A machine for producing mitre cuts in panellike workpieces,more especially in panels which are provided with a cover layer at leaston the side remote from the mitre cuts, and for producing furniturebodies, including two side supports interconnected by cross transversesand by a cross beam located in upper regions of said side supports andhaving sliding surfaces which slidably support at least two horizontallydisplaceable slides which are displaceable at right angles to thelongitudinal direction of the mitre cuts to be produced; said horizontalslides each having a vertical slide mounted thereon, adjustable by meansof a setting spindle, and supporting a mitre cutter with drive motor anda profile cutter rotatable about a horizontal axis for producing aV-shaped cut; and horizontally displaceable workpiece support meanslocated with spacing below said mitre cutters for supporting the panelsto be processed and containing a plurality of suction cups which act tohold the undersides of said panels to be mitre-cut against the supportby suction.
 5. A machine according to claim 4, in which said supportscarry at least two horizontally displaceable slides which aredisplaceable in the extension of width of said machine; and in whichsaid workpiece support means is supported on guide means which islocated on said side supports and connected to a pressure mediumcylinder and on the underside of said workpiece support has a gearwheelwhich meshes with a racked bar mounted on the machine frame.
 6. Amachine according to claim 5, in which said two horizontallydisplaceable slides are interconnected by a transversely extendingthreaded spindle which has a right-hand threaded portion receiving thehorizontal slide and a left-hand threaded portion receiving the otherhorizontal slide.
 7. A machine according to claim 6, in which saidworkpiece support means is supported with lateral guide tracks onrowlocks acting as guide means located on the side portions of themachine side supports; and including an apparatus for pastingself-adhesive reinforcing strips to the underside of the panel to beprocessed in the region of the mitre cut to be produced, said apparatusbeing located between and on the machine side supports in front of theworkpiece support means, and an adhesive device provided for each mitrecutter, said adhesive device being laterally continuously adjustable inthe machine width and having said adhesive reinforcing strip removablymounted therein.